FFXIV All Stars Idea!!

[Konachibi]

Also as for me preferring 'realistic' anime. I thoroughly enjoyed Afro Samurai, the Gundam series, Gurren Lagaan, FLCL (<3) and many others that have very fantasy/sci-fi fantastical styles about them. As a rule I'm not too picky, I just don't like watching anime where everyone stands around glaring at each other all the time, if I wanted that I'd pause a picture of Revvy from Black Lagoon and attempt to do the voice-over myself.

[Dargoth_Draconia]

Also as for me preferring 'realistic' anime. I thoroughly enjoyed Afro Samurai, the Gundam series, Gurren Lagaan, FLCL (<3) and many others that have very fantasy/sci-fi fantastical styles about them. As a rule I'm not too picky, I just don't like watching anime where everyone stands around glaring at each other all the time, if I wanted that I'd pause a picture of Revvy from Black Lagoon and attempt to do the voice-over myself.

I don't know about Afro Samurai but both those other Anime take place in a realistic world. Both FLCL and any of the Gundam Series, Gurren Lagan doesn't but it fits the post apocalyptic world so it isn't too far off base. When I say realistic I don't mean as in fantasy story/plot etc, I meant the world that the Anime takes place in. Seems like most the ones you named that I know of seem to take place in a realistic world of sorts. I don't know how much Naruto you have watched but that doesn't really happen as bad as you think, atleast those parts are filled with dialogue that build story and purpose instead of charging a spirit bomb for 10 episodes. BTW Bleach is really good and is still one of the top 3 on going Anime in Japan. When I went to Japan back when I was 19, now 26 the three most popular Anime are still the same three I see over there and here. Naruto, One Piece, and Bleach. Bleach doesn't do a whole lot of standing around and talking when they are fighting but there is so many filler episodes here and there but going into an Anime that you are years behind (which doesn't usually take too long to catch up especially if you sit and watch like 10-20 episodes in a row like I do)

You should try and open your mind a little and give those Anime another shot you might be surprised, the reason I like Naruto is the fights are amazing when they are breaking it out and each character has so much depth to them and their abilities and fighting styles and personalities really bring me into it. Naruto is more of a Anime all about the story unfolding and getting caught off guard when you are watching it. Also as you said, it has a lot more to it than you think especially once it reaches the Shiipuuden level. How far did you actually get in Naruto? Again I understand that there is a difference in opinions and what not and likes, but the show is a lot deeper than you are giving it credit for. Everyone I got to sit down and watch this show for a prolonged time even people who don't like Anime are hooked. The story is deep and the characters are too.

Bleach is really good in its own right but has the DBZ effect which you would probably find annoying, I recommend watching the first 100 episodes roughly and then say if you do or don't like it.

One Piece is honestly my favorite Anime right now it crazy insane world and characters have me waiting very impatiently each week for a new episode to see what happens next. Plus for some reason I just love the art in One Piece, everything about it is awesome. Unlike you I watch mainstream Anime because usually if the masses like it then there has to be a reason for it especially in Anime. That doesn't mean I don't watch other stuff, I have watched more Anime than I can name and will likely check out some of the ones you mentioned. Between Netflix, Crunchyroll paid account and Animefreak.tv I have pretty much all Anime at my disposal to watch. Actually when you made the NHK reference a couple days ago I watched the whole thing in 2 days. Anyways I think I lost the point I was trying to reach lol so I will just post this as is.

Sorry for nearly getting TL;DR on you, I just keep adding to the post.

[Konachibi]

In fact if you wanted a much larger over-view of what I like and why I like it here's a few links to my linkshells website where I write reviews and thoughts on anime and ecchi I have watched.

Ecchi thread
Anime thread

I highly advise watching the video to Ikkitousen in the ecchi thread, this personifies the type of battle systems I love, fast furious, brutal, no mercy, pure destruction, with an adrenaline pumping head banging rock tune to intensify the experience.
As you can also see in my review also, Ikkitousen is embeded deep into culture, but this is namely Chinese culture, brought into a modern medium, much like hollywood did with the Leanardo di Caprio version of Romeo + Juliet.